Collapsible brush



y July 2, 1957 w. w. DoNEE 2,797,426

' coLLAPsIBLE BRUSH Filed Oct. 10, 1955 y 2 Sheets-Sheet l l? le 56 2e 2o |4 FIGA. FIG. 5. Plas.

2a 32 l l5 INVENTOR wlLLlAM- w. Dom-:E

l .E tgl/1161 i 4MM/MM 44 ATTORNEYS July 2, 1957 w. w. DONEE COLLAPSIBLE BRUSH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OCT.. 10. 1955 krijg-ji@ FIG. IO. FIG. FIG. l2.

e4 e7 se e4 so 79 e5 E RM m0 N. Ew V WM A U IL w ATTORNEYS `by .Ineens af .e sins nited States Patent i CQLLAPSIBLE BRUSH William W. Donee, Venice, Calif.

earliest-ien Qeteber .10, 1955, Serial No, 539.323

v10 claims. (el. 157203) This investies te de with Collapsible brushes- An object of the invention is to provide a novel and imprevisti; ClQllePSble bfdsll in Wlsieh blistlefearryns nertets ,ete mounted. te .eellerse ferr housing .Within the .ease Pertieawhea Another e121. et .simple eenstrsdetien wlsieh dan be readily manipulated -earstrel element to extend the bristleeerr ma perderse inte residen for use and to retract such @erdgas inte ,the ease es desired- A further object is to provide a novel `device of the type indicated vin whioh the bristle-carrying elements are expandable and contractable laterally and in which these elements, when contracted, are movable longitudinally ip to vand out of the ase portion of the device.

Still another object is to provide a collapsible brush having a case which is suitable as a handle when 4the brush vpartiell et the dev iee is extended and expanded fer use- A further object is to provide :a `collapsible brush in eetis't provide snel; a collapsible brush f which Vall of the parts are connected together thereby obviating the possibility of any part being misplaced.

Still another object is to provide a collapsible brush whieh `leeds tself'te mass Preduetien methods These and other objects will be apparent frornthe drawings and the following description. Referring to the drawings:

Figjl is a perspective view of a form of brush embodying k the inyention kshown in expanded position for use;

Fig. 2 is a perspetive view of the same device in .collapsed and retteeted residen;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device with the bristlearrying elements extended from the case but collapsed laterally;

Fig. .d is a sectional .view on lline ire-.4 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views on line 5 5 and @-6. respeetiyely, 0f Fis. 2;

Fig. .6A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 6A-6A of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6B is 4 a plan View of Vthe control element;

Eig'. 7 is a perspectiye view of another form of the invention `with the device extended and expanded for use;

Fig. S is a view in perspective of the device ,of Fig. 7 :in retracted and ,eellapsed position;

Fig. 9 is a .plan view showing the bristlecarr-ying ele.- inent's e xtende dV but laterally collapsed;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line l0-10 of Fig. 7; and

Figs. 1 1 and 12 `are sectional views on lines 11-11 and .1.2--12a respectively, ,of Fig- .Sl

More particularly describing the invention, referring first te Fisslf., '11 gener-elly indieetes the ,ease ef e `device embodying my invention, and 12 generally designates the brush assembly. The brush assembly includes a central bar 14 v having an enlarged inner end portion 1 5 of T-shape in cross section and having a pair of laterally extending projections or wings 15 which are slidably received in longitudinal ohannels 1 6 formed in thesidesy of the case. w

Ylllhich are mounted in any conventional manner.

2,797,426 Patented July 2, 1957 re ICC .the central bar- 14 is telescopically mounted with reference to the case.

On each side of the central bar I provide an outer bar 2,0. The central and outer bars carry suitable bristles 21 The outer bars are connected pivotally to the center bar by links 22 and 23. Link 22 is pivot-ally secured at '24 to the outer end of the central .bar and at Z5 to the outer ends of the outer bars. vThe inner link 23 is .pivotally 'Y connected at point 2.6 to the outer bars and is rotatably nconnected to the central bar 14 by a control element ldesignated 28, the link 23 being received within an opening 29 extending from side to side through the inner end portion of the central bar.

The control element includes an elongated handle portion f3.0 and 1a Ashaft .comprised of an upper portion 32 (Figs. 6 and ,6 B) elongated in the same direction as the handle, a next adjacent cylindrical section 33, a non- .cirular section 3,4 shown as square in cross section,` and a peripherally grooved cylindrical end portion 35. l The p ortiQIl '32 of the shaft, when turned longitudinally of the case as in Fig. l2, is slidably received in a longitudinally extending slot 37 of the case. This slot is enlarged at 37 to enable the control element to be turned as show-n in Eig. 1. The section 32 is partially received in a circular recess or .counterbore 3.8 (Fig. 6A) above a bore 39 which receives lsection 33 of the shaft. The bottom of the recess is provided with two surfaces 40 which are inclined downwardly in a counterclockwise direction f or a purpose which will later appear. Inwardly of these is a second or in ner counterbore 41. The square section 34 o f the shaft is slidably received in a correspondingly shaped hole 4 3 in inner link 23. The end portion 35 is received in a bore v4.4. An L-shaped leaf spring 47 mounted on the inner ,end ,of the central bar yieldably anchors the control element, .thespring having a bifurcated end 4.8 Whell .Straddles theV lower end .of the shaft, fitting the groove therein. i i

With the ycontrol element in the position of Fig. 2, the brush assembly parts are retracted laterally and tele- Ascoped .within the case. By moving the .control element to the outer yend of the slot 37 and then turning the same about 50 in ,a counterClOckWise direction, .the bristlecarrying lbars are rst extended from the case and subsequently expanded laterally from the position of Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 1. When the control element is in the position of Figs. 2 and 6, the lower surface of the section 32 is supported upon the high portions of the in c lined surfaces di). However, when the control element is turned it rides vdown the surfaces 40. under the .influence of spring 47 to the position of Fig. 4, the spring and sur faces 4 0 serving to releasably lhold .the control Alever in this position. It should be noted that r.case section 11A is eut away at 5t) t o proj/ ide clearance for Zthe .brush A1assembly durlllg lateral expansion thereof. The brush assernbly may be returned vto the case by rotating the control elernent clockwise about 5 0" Yand moving it backto its original position.

Referring .to Eig .17712, 1 show an alternate form ofthe inyention wherein numeral 6.0 generally indicates the vcase and 61 generally indicates the brush assembly. The .case di) is generallysivmilarto theorie vpreviously described in that it is formed of similar or complementary sections A and 4611B wllieh may ,be ieined tesetlier by .any .e011- yedtiesel me. s- The tease -is farmed te preyide'tlre lat: eral ehadnels d4 Whiehteeeiyle -tllse alas insertions .6.5 tensed .0.11 the. Praet ed@ secties t6' ef e. .eeatrel heidense nated generally by 67. The outer portion 68 of the bar carries a row or rows of bristles 70 as do outer bars 71. In this form of the invention the outer bars are connected to the central bar at each end by a pair of links, levers or armsj Links, designated 72 and 72', are pivotally connected at 73 to the outer bars and pivotally connected at 74 to the central bar. These links or arms are provided With interengaging means in the form ofmeshing gear teeth 75 so that movement of one causes corresponding movement of the other.

At their inner ends the bars are connected by links, levers or arms 76 and 77. These are pivotally secured at 78 to the outer bars, respectively, and are pivotally mounted upon the inner bar by means of a pin 79 whichextends through the parts and through a control element or knob 80. The control element 80 has a slotted lower end portion 81 which fits over a flat-sided projection 82 formed on the arm 76 whereby rotative movement of the control lever is transmitted to the link or arm 76. The control element has an elongated section 84 which is received in a slot 85, 85 in the upper wall of the case. At its forward end the case has a box-like portion 88 which houses a V-shaped spring 90.

The case is provided with shields 91 supported by hinges 92. Each shield also has a fiat spring 93 which is secured to the shield at 94 and normally lies flat along the inner side of the case. When the brush assembly is within the case, as in Fig. 8, the outer bars 71 lie against the springs 93, thereby serving to hold the shields in line with the sides of the case. When the outer bars 71 are expanded from the full-line position of Fig. 9 to the broken-line position thereof, the shields yield to the outward movement of the links 76 and 77 and swing outwardly as shown in broken lines and as shown in Fig. 7. When the shields swing out the inner ends of springs 93 swing inward to engage the inner end portion of central bar 67 to yieldably limit outward swing movement of the shields.

In the operation of the device, assuming the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 8, the brush assembly 61 may be moved to the position of Fig. 9 by moving control element 80 to the enlarged end portion 75 of slot 75. The brush assembly can then be expanded to the position of Fig. 7 by turning the handle 90 in a counterclockwise direction. The shields 91 swing out to permit this, thereby obviating the necessity of having an unduly long case. Spring 99 serves to yieldably hold the control element in this position by reason of bearing against the flat side of portion 84 of the control element which is elongated in the direction of the outermost or handle portion of the control element until it is desired to return the parts to their original collapsed and retracted position by return movement of the control element. It will be apparent that in both forms of the invention, with the brush assembly extended, the case can be used as a handle. It will also be apparent that the links 22, 23 of Figs. l-6, and the links 72, 72', 76 and 77 of Figs. 7-12 may be termed a partially rotatable linkage means connecting the bars.

While I have shown three bristle-carrying bars, I contemplate that more or less than this number can be used without departing from the invention. Also, various other modifications and changes can be made therein without departing from the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the following claims.

I claim:

l. A collapsible brush, comprising a case with an opening at one end, a central bristle-carrying bar mounted in said case for telescopic movement therewith, an outer bristle-carrying bar on each side of said central bar, a link Iat each end of said central bar pivotally connected thereto at the midpoint of the link, pivotal connection means between the ends of each link and the adjacent ends respectively of said outer bars, said links being sufliciently long, when disposed normal to said central bar, to space said outer bars laterally of said central bar, said bars being receivable in said case when said outer bars are collapsed to lie adjacent said central bar.

2. A collapsible brush, comprising a case with an opening at one end, a central bristle-carrying bar mounted in said case for telescopic movement therewith, an outer, bristle-carrying bar on each side of said central bar, a link at each end of said central bar pivotally connected thereto, pivotal connection means between the end of each link and an adjacent end of an outer bar, said links being sufliciently long, when disposed normal to said central bar, to space said outer bars laterally of Said central bar, said bars being receivable in said case when said outer bars are collapsed to lie adjacent said central bar, a control lever mounted on one said link located at the inner end of said bars for pivoting said link whereby to expand or contract said outer bars laterally of said central bar.

3. A collapsible brush as set forth in claim 2 in which said case is provided with a longitudinal slot Aand in which said control lever projects through said slot.

4. A collapsible brush comprising a case, a brush assembly including a plurality of bristle-carrying bars and a partially rotatable linkage means mounting the bars for lateral expansion and contraction thereof, said brush yassembly being receivable in the case when contracted and being slidable in the case for telescopic movement therewith, and a control lever carried by said brush assembly and non-rotatably engaging said linkage means operable, when moved longitudinally of the case, to move said brush assembly relative to the case and opera ble, when rotated, to rotate said linkage means whereby to expand or contract said assembly laterally.

5. A collapsible brush as set forth in claim 4 in which said case is provided with a slot extending longitudinally of the case and in which said lever projects through said slot.

6. A collapsible brush, comprising a case with an opening at one end, a central bristle-carrying bar, laterally projecting wings at the inner end of said bar, means in the case forming a guide channel on each side thereof slid-ably receiving the respective wings of said bar whereby to mount said bar for telescopic movement relative to the case, an outer bristle-carrying bar on each side of said central bar, and means joining said outer bars to said central bar for adjusted lateral movement toward and away from said central har, said central and outer bars being receivable in said case when said outer bars are collapsed to lie adjacent said central bar.

7. A collapsible brush as set forth in claim 6 in which the means joining said outer bars to said central bar comprises a link at each end of said central bar pivotally secured thereto, and means pivotally securing the ends of said links to the ends of said outer bars.

8. A collapsible brush, comprising a case with an opening at one end, a central bristle-carrying bar, laterally projecting wings at the inner end of said bar, means in the case forming a guide channel on each side thereof slidably receiving the respective wings of said bar whereby to mount said bar for telescopic movement relative to the case, interengaging means on said case and said bar limiting movement of said bar relative to said case, an outer bristle-carrying bar on each side of said central bar, a link at each end of said central bar pivotally connected thereto at the mid point of the link, pivotal connection means, between the ends of each link and the adjacent ends respectively of-said outer bars, said links being sufliciently long, when disposed normal to said central bar, to space said outer bars laterally of said central bar, said bars being receivable in said case when said outer bars are collapsed to lie adjacent said central bar, a control lever mounted on the link located at the inner end of said bars for pivoting said link where; by to expand or contract said outer bars laterally of said central bar, said control lever being non-rotatively mounted with respect to the link in which it is mounted.

9. A collapsible brush, comprising a case with an opening at one end and having a longitudinal slot, a central bristle-carrying bar having laterally projecting Wings at its inner end, said case being formed to provide opposing guide channels slidably receiving said Wings, an outer bristle-carrying bar on each side of said central bar, an outer link pivotally connected at its midpoint to the outer end of said central bar and at its outer ends to the outer ends of each 'of said outer bars, an inner link pivotally connected at its midpoint to the outer end of said central bar and at its `outer ends to the inner ends of said outer bars, said links being of equal length, and a control element pivotally mounted in the inner end portion of said central bar and passing through said inner link, said control element serving to pivotally connect said inner link to l the inner end portion of said central bar, interengaging means on said control element and said inner link preventing relative rotation of said inner link and said control element whereby rotation of said control element results in rotation of said inner link, said control element project-l ing through the slot in said case.

10. In a collapsible brush having a case, a brush assembly telescopically mounted in said case comprising a central bristle-carrying bar, a pair of outer bristle-carrying bars positioned one on each side of said central bar, a first pair of arms each pivotally mounted at one end at the outer end of said central bar, means pivotally connecting the other end of each arm to the end of one outer bar, a second pair of arms each pivotally mounted at one end at the inner end of said central bar, means pivotally connecting the other end of each arm of said second pair of arms to the inner end of one outer bar, a control element on one of the arms of said pairs of arms for pivoting the same, and interengaging means on the arms of one of said pairs of arms for transmitting pivotal movement of one arm of said one pair to the other arm thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,244,068 Kay June 3, 1941 2,645,803 Abel July 21, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 47,782 Germany July 9, 1889 1,024,908 France Jan. 10, 1953 

